Although mechanical properties have been shown to influence stem cell fate, little is known if
mechanical properties of the stem cell niche change in vivo and whether and how this can influence
behavior, growth and differentiation of stem cells.
We will seek mechanisms and logics how mechanical factors control differentiation towards specific
neural and glial cells by systematic use of molecular biology, biochemistry, mouse genetics,
material biology and advanced microscopy. Furthermore, we apply our knowledge to invent novel
strategies for neural regeneration from human iPSCs against neurodegenerative diseases.